The Doctrine of Abrogation — God’s Eternal Word, Constantly Revised

Part 6 of the series: “Ten Evidence-Based Reasons to Doubt the Divine Origin of the Qur’an”

Introduction: A divine text in flux?

The doctrine of abrogation (naskh) in Islamic theology asserts that some verses of the Qur’an replace or cancel earlier ones. This means God's eternal revelation is not static but subject to change over time.

This doctrine raises a fundamental logical problem:
If the Qur’an is the perfect, eternal word of God, why must parts of it be revoked and replaced?

This article explores the origins, theological justifications, contradictions, and implications of abrogation, arguing that this concept undermines the claim of the Qur’an’s divine perfection.

1. What is abrogation (naskh)?

Definition:

Abrogation means the cancellation or replacement of a ruling or verse by a later one.
It applies primarily to legal rulings (ahkam), but also to narrative or doctrinal statements.

Classic verses on abrogation:

“Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar.”
— Qur’an 2:106

“Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.”
— Qur’an 13:39

These verses are the foundation of the doctrine.

2. Origins of the doctrine: a theological solution

Abrogation was not an original Qur’anic concept; it developed as Muslim jurists and theologians confronted contradictory or evolving texts.

Early Islamic scholars like Al-Shafi‘i (8th century) formalised the doctrine.
It became a tool to reconcile conflicting verses and legal rulings.

Purpose:

Explain why some verses seem inconsistent.
Justify later rulings that replace earlier ones.

3. Examples of abrogation in the Qur’an

Alcohol prohibition:

Early: Qur’an 16:67 acknowledges intoxicants as part of God’s provision.
Later: Qur’an 4:43 forbids approaching prayer intoxicated.
Final: Qur’an 5:90 declares intoxicants “abominations” and forbids their use.

Direction of prayer (qibla):

Initially towards Jerusalem (Qur’an 2:142–144).
Later changed to Mecca (Qur’an 2:149–150).

Fighting:

Early verses advise patience and non-violence (Qur’an 16:126).
Later verses permit and command fighting (Qur’an 9:5).

These shifts are cited as classical examples of naskh.

4. Logical problem #1: Why would God change His mind?

The doctrine implies:

God revealed something.
Later, God revealed something else replacing the first.
This contradicts the concept of an omniscient, unchanging deity.

If God is perfect and all-knowing, the entire revelation should be:

Final from the start.
Free from contradictions requiring correction.

5. Logical problem #2: Eternal versus temporal revelation

Muslim theologians argue abrogation reflects God’s wisdom in addressing changing circumstances.

But this assumes the revelation is:

Temporal (changing over time).
Not truly eternal or final.

This conflicts with mainstream claims that the Qur’an is the eternal, unaltered word of God.

6. Problem #3: How to identify abrogated verses?

There is no consensus among scholars on:

Which verses abrogate others.
The number of abrogated verses (estimates range from a handful to over 200).
The methodology to determine abrogation.

This leads to confusion and subjectivity.

7. Case study: The “Sword Verse” and earlier pacifist verses

Early Meccan verses advocate patience, forgiveness, and non-violence.
Later Medinan verses, especially Qur’an 9:5 (“Kill the polytheists wherever you find them”), are said to abrogate earlier peaceful verses.

This interpretation:

Presents God as shifting from mercy to violence.
Raises ethical and theological questions about divine consistency.

8. Historical-critical perspective: human legislative evolution

Abrogation better fits a human legislative process adapting to:

Political realities.
Social needs.
Warfare.

It resembles human law-making, not immutable divine command.

9. Abrogation and scriptural integrity

The existence of abrogation:

Challenges the idea of the Qur’an as fully preserved and consistent.
Implies the text has internal editorial layers.

Historical note:

Some abrogated verses are missing from the Qur’an manuscript tradition but preserved in Hadith.
Suggests later editing and selection.

10. Apologetic defenses and their limits

Defenders argue:

Abrogation shows divine mercy, allowing gradual implementation.
It reflects God’s wisdom, not ignorance.

Logical flaw:

Divine wisdom and perfection imply no need for revision.
Gradual implementation can be explained by human development, not divine inconsistency.

11. Broader implications: Abrogation undermines Qur’an’s uniqueness

If the Qur’an requires:

Revisions.
Self-corrections.
Multiple rulings over time.

It resembles human scripture evolving with its community.

12. Conclusion: The doctrine of abrogation — a fatal flaw for divine perfection

Abrogation is:

An explicit admission of contradiction.
Evidence the Qur’an is not eternally perfect.
A theological patch for inconsistencies.

This undermines claims of divine origin and points towards a human-authored, evolving text.

📚 References & further reading

John Burton, The Sources of Islamic Law (1990)
Wael B. Hallaq, The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law (2005)
Norman Calder, Studies in Early Muslim Jurisprudence (1993)
Gerald Hawting, The Idea of Idolatry and the Emergence of Islam (1999)
Angelika Neuwirth, The Qur’an and Late Antiquity (2010)

💡 Next in the series:

Part 7 — The Problem of Violence: Qur’anic Commands and Modern Realities

Spotlight On Islam

Wednesday, July 30, 2025